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The partial government shutdown, now in its 31st day, is well beyond being the longest in US history. And while furloughed government workers, airports and national parks have been bearing the brunt of it — it turns out the American hotel industry has been taking a hit as well. Hotels in Washington, DC, specifically.

According to Travel Pulse, March is DC’s “busy season” due mostly to a steady stream of government contractors visiting the city to pitch goods and services to federal agencies, in addition to warmer weather and the beginning of cherry blossom season attracting tourists to the surrounding national parks. But since the impasse between Congress and the White House (and the fact that there is still no end in sight for compromise), DC hotels haven’t been seeing the usual influx of bookings.

Bloomberg reported that this is likely due to the travelers that usually book blocks of rooms in advance could be looking for alternative options instead of waiting to see if the government reopens.

“You don’t go to Disney if the rides are closed,” Jane Freitag, a senior vice president at lodging data provider STR, said. “Events organized by the government or by groups doing business with the government will be postponed or not happen. School groups that had bake sales to fund a trip aren’t going to come.”

Furthermore, with TSA wait times at airports still precarious, tourists and government contractors are less likely to seek traveling until the shutdown ends. This would cause a decrease in hotel bookings, which could result in hotels sending home or letting go of staff.

“We believe investors (and hotel operators) likely continue to underestimate the demand impact of the partial government shutdown, and we expect the shutdown to become more impactful over time,” Michael Bellisario, an analyst at Robert W. Baird & Co., wrote in a Jan. 16 research note, reported by Bloomberg.

These back up agents, part of the TSA’s National Deployment Force, have been sent to several major airports so far, including Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

TSA spokesperson James Gregory told CNBC in an email that “there are limited resources available, and our ability to reinforce airports with National Deployment Officers is becoming more difficult.” However, the TSA declined to comment on the total number of replacement officers it plans on deploying to airports.

The event at JBJ Soul Kitchen is due to a partnership between New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s organization, the Phil and Tammy Murphy Family Foundation. They will also be providing workers with access to additional support and resources to help them get through the unpaid period.

Currently, the Met is running 12 different operas. Including Bizet’s “Carmen,” Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” Debussy’s “Pelleas et Melisande,” Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur” and a double bill of Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta” and Bartok’s “Bluebeard’s Castle.” Tickets can be reserved ahead of time by telephone or redeemed at the box office upon arrival.

*This post has been updated to reflect the most recent rate of TSA officers calling out of work. A previous version of this story said 8% of officers were calling out sick.

Featured image by Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

Jordan Allen
is TPG's General Assignment Reporter. She produces content about nearly everything from the newest travel trends to the latest flight deals.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. If anyone on our team
wouldn't recommend an offer to a friend or family member, we wouldn't recommend it on The Points Guy
either. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising
partners.

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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please view our advertising policy page for more information.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.